fabric prints

Circle back to the woods

I stopped walking in the woods for the last few weeks, because I found a tick attached to my neck and I had stayed on the trail.

trees inspire printmaking

But today, I went back to my old trail in the woods by the lake and was so supported by the energy of the place. I had let that little bug, fear and frustration stop me from going on my “healing” walks.

lake walks for inspiration

I shared the trail with a big dear and a quiet blue heron and plenty of shadows.

shadows for drawing reference

I bring that good energy back to the studio and get more done.

shadow shape leaves

I always find tools and inspiration in the woods. Different seasons offer different tools. Currently I am looking for strong twigs and weeds to use in the soft plate relief class, starting soon.

soft relief plates

This is a low tech way to make relief style plates without needing to carve your design. You can use the process to print on paper or fabric.

mud cloth style printed fabric

Check out the details on the printmaking workshop page. And start collecting tools and inspiration!

 

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Happy accidents and pulling that last print

I find the many times the last print of the day, when I am warmed up, and not over thinking things is my favorite print of the day.

happy accident gelatin print on fabric

Some reasons for this maybe:

  • is that the inner critic is not so active at that time.
  • the ink is just right
  • your mark making tools are primed.

So I encourage you to take advantage of that time and pull that one more print.

quilt made with monoprinted fabric

If you would like to have some happy accidents with gelatin printing on fabric, now is the time to do it. The Monoprinting Fabric online workshop starts June 2, 2021.

make marks on fabric

You have time to gather your supplies and join the class.

workspace for printing on fabric

We will explore 10 different techniques. Read all the details on the printmaking workshop page.

inks for make monoprints on fabric with the gelatin plate

Let’s make some happy accidents.

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What I learned from printing lots of fabric with gelatin plate

I have been playing with gelatin printing on fabric for several years. I have a big pile of monoprints.

piles of hand printed fabric
piles of hand printed fabric

The pieces are just waiting for a project.

1 – Print in a similar color scheme and even if the marks are different the fabrics can be coordinated.

print in limited color scheme

2 – Use the same kind of fabric and then the small printed pieces can be sewn together for a bigger project.

gelatin printed fabric

3 – Try to make fabrics with light to dark impressions. They will combine for a stronger design.

pillows made with gelatin printed fabric

4 – I like to use the “passage of time” method to set my inks. I have tried ironing and dryer heat setting, but my most reliable method is to just wait a few months to a year to wash the fabric.

gel printed fabric

If you are interested in learning more about monoprinting fabric with the gelatin plate, then check out the details on the workshop page. This online class starts soon.

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Top 3 supplies for monoprinting on fabric

1 –  I think that the most important supply is nice old 100 % cotton sheets from the thrift store.

Prepare fabric for printmaking

These high quality old sheets:

  • Create a freedom to explore, because they are not precious
  • are pre-shrunk and ready to print on
  • usually absorb ink/paint nicely

2 – A spongey brayer that fits your print size. I like this 2″ soft foam brayer with a smooth surface (red handle) that I found at hobby lobby. I like this size because I work small and textured. The speedball soft rubber brayers work too.

ink and brayers on the palette

3 – Ink or paint that stays workable and is compatible with your project and fabric. I did a blog post on my experience, but it is best to experiment on your own.

Other supplies, stencils, mark making tools and the gelatin plate.

hand printed fabric with sticky labels a stencils

If you are interested in joining us in the online printmaking class, Monoprinting Fabric, then read the details on the workshop page.

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Mark up your sketchbook

I recently made a sketchbook with some monoprinted book cloth.

sketchbook with hand made book cloth

I used a sewn tab binding. It is pretty sturdy. And it is small enough to take to the woods.

sketchbook by linda germain

But first I am going to:

  • scribble with pencil
  • add relief stamp paptterns
  • glue in some flower prints
  • doodle with marker

make marks in sketchbook

You may think what would be left for sketching? And you maybe right. A lot of the pages will be marked up with information.

collage in your sketchbook

But it is my book. And what I have come to understand is that in my books the linear drawing may not be the star. So if the book is filled with words or printed marks, then that is okay.

I offer you this challenge to use your sketchbook in ways that support your art practice and to let go of any limiting ideas of what your sketchbook should be. I think you will experience more joy.

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